Anonymous wrote:I didn't LOVE it, but I'm trying to remember if the first episode of Season 1 was all that great... it probably wasn't. But by the time I started listening there was so much buzz that I knew I would keep listening.

I don't think this episode did a good job explaining what the mysteries/controversies are beyond "why did he walk away?"

From my perspective, the first episode of Serial from Season 1 was GREAT! I was hooked and told everyone about it. It was broadcast on This American Life.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The last minute of the podcast gets you - Sarah has a phone call with the Taliban. I understand how speaking with them may be captivating and important for purposes of this podcast, but it left a bad taste in my mouth....

Curious how it left you with a bad taste in your mouth? I can't wait for episode 2 and hear their side of the story on how they caught Bowe. He certainly didn't seem to want to go into detail..you'd think that would be something seared into his memory.

I am the PP. I think it can be important for reporters to speak to our "enemies" for the purposes of journalism, but to me, serial is much more entertainment than journalism (even though, clearly, its impact can be great as we saw last season). We havent heard the conversation with the taliban yet, but it seems we will be hearing what happened from their perspective when they captured the soldier. Its like she is speaking to Jay from last season, but this time, its America's sworn enemy and an organization that devastated Afghanistan. This is for entertainment purposes, and not to learn about the war generally/the taliban's goals/other important, global issues.

Anonymous wrote:The last minute of the podcast gets you - Sarah has a phone call with the Taliban. I understand how speaking with them may be captivating and important for purposes of this podcast, but it left a bad taste in my mouth....

Curious how it left you with a bad taste in your mouth? I can't wait for episode 2 and hear their side of the story on how they caught Bowe. He certainly didn't seem to want to go into detail..you'd think that would be something seared into his memory.

I enjoyed the first episode a lot more than I expected to. I think it was structured fairly similar to the first episode of the first season - she basically introduces the main character and explains a little bit about why she became interested in the case. Obviously the circumstances are way different than season 1, but I think that it'll be a pretty good season.

A lot of people who have kept up with Adnan Syed's case feel resentful towards the Serial team for "getting it wrong" or not digging deep enough into this or that, but I think it's important to remember that while Sarah is a journalist, this is also intended to be entertainment, not investigation.

I listened to the first episode and liked it. I listened to Season 1 well after it came out so all episodes were available. Do they release episodes weekly?

I listened to the first episode and agree, he just sounds like an idiot with an exaggerated sense of his own abilities and self-importance. But, that's probably not an uncommon trait in individuals who volunteer to fight wars. You need to have a lot of confidence in yourself to put yourself into that situation.

Anonymous wrote:Who knew you could just give the taliban a call?

+1. I didn't realize they had a listed number.

I also watched the Spec Ops pick up video that is on the blog. I also didn't realize commandos wore jeans.

So far, I think he's a dumb 23 year old kid. Interested tend to see what Sarah unearths in all,of this and if my opinion changes.

Who knew you could just give the taliban a call?

The last minute of the podcast gets you - Sarah has a phone call with the Taliban. I understand how speaking with them may be captivating and important for purposes of this podcast, but it left a bad taste in my mouth....

I didn't LOVE it, but I'm trying to remember if the first episode of Season 1 was all that great... it probably wasn't. But by the time I started listening there was so much buzz that I knew I would keep listening.

I don't think this episode did a good job explaining what the mysteries/controversies are beyond "why did he walk away?"

It's also at https://serialpodcast.org/

Has anyone listened yet? I started to listen earlier but only got about 20 minutes in before having to turn it off (picked up the kids from school). It didn't suck me in as quickly as the first one but I can't wait to finish the episode.

Anonymous wrote:I just checked the link. Storyline should be interesting.

It's not showing up in the App Store, unless it's under something other than Serial. Hope it lives up to Season 1 storytelling!

OP here its in the separate Podcast App.

I just checked the link. Storyline should be interesting.

It's not showing up in the App Store, unless it's under something other than Serial. Hope it lives up to Season 1 storytelling!

Yay! Thanks OP for the heads up! I can't wait to go for my run after work and listen...

is back!

Let's discuss here and just assume if you've clicked it and from the heading spoilers are within

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/12/10/459181330/featuring-interview-with-sgt-bowe-bergdahl-serial-season-2-is-finally-here

i've not listened yet but cannot wait to later today.